Member in City To Surf

Member Peter Kark successfully completed the City To Surf event in Sydney, raising funds and awareness for people with Parkinson's. Read Peter's story in the attached PDF document (1.4 MB).

STOP PRESS

We're happy to announce that Peter successfully completed the City2Surf and, in so doing, raised a considerable amount of money (>$2,000) for Parkinson's NSW. Well done Peter!!

Text below reprinted with permission from Port News.

RETIRED cardiologist Peter Kark won’t let Parkinson’s disease stop him from taking part in a famous Sydney event. In fact, Mr Kark is raising money for Parkinson’s NSW and boosting awareness about the disease as he prepares to join more than 85,000 runners, joggers, walkers and pram pushers in the The Sun-Herald City2Surf.

Support from the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West already has pushed the fundraising amount to the $700-mark. The community is encouraged to donate to Mr Kark’s City2Surf campaign. The money will go to Parkinson’s NSW, a non-profit, community-based organisation that provides support for people with Parkinsons and their families and carers.

“I will finish ... I don’t anticipate any problems,” Mr Kark said. His training routine takes in stints intermittently walking and running in readiness for the City2Surf on August 12.

Mr Kark, in addition to doing his bit for people with Parkinson’s disease, also is using the event to promote the benefits of exercise for the general community. Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder, typically with symptoms such as slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, instability and tremor. There is no cure, but treatment and therapy can help manage symptoms.

Mr Kark had a procedure called deep brain stimulation in February, which has improved his quality of life. “It made a big difference,” he says. The then cardiologist was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about five years ago. He retired in April last year after about three decades as a cardiologist, including 16 years in Port Macquarie.

Mr Kark is a member of the Port Macquarie Parkinson’s Support Group. “Parkinson’s Disease is underdiagnosed,” Mr Kark says. Port Macquarie is without a neurologist or a dedicated nurse. Mr Kark hopes his City2Surf campaign is the just beginning of fundraising here to help people with Parkinson’s disease.